‘Fox dog’ Hendrix, who inspired the salon’s name at home in his new pad. Photo by Sam Brill.

When it comes to hair, I can genuinely count the times that I’ve paid to have my hair cut or coloured over the past eight years on one hand. That isn’t to say that I’ve been walking round with a kitchen scissors botch job and six inch roots all this time, it’s just that I’ve just been fortunate enough to call some extremely talented stylists my best friends over the years.

One of the chosen few that I’ve actually parted cash with when I’ve fancied a new do is esteemed stylist and friend Ryan Harris (who once transformed my hair in to a vision of mermaid green), and for good reason.

Ryan has built quite the name for himself in Aberdeen over the last 10 years, receiving acclaim as an expert barber, a creative colourist, and a skilled stylist, having even travelled further afield as part of the GHD fame team.

After years of hard work, the next natural step in Ryan’s career was to open his own salon, so I went along to the launch party to have a good nosey round and see what he had to say about his amazing new venture.

Having spent his former years as a trained builder, Ryan has been at the helm of this project from the bottom upwards, creating this stunning space.

Above photos by Sam Brill.

The first thing that struck me was that this was a salon with serious style. The mix of natural woods and cool metallics worked in perfect harmony with lots of luscious plant life to create an industrial yet contemporary feel in this light and airy space.

The real show stopper for me however was the delightfully dark interior of the waiting room downstairs, furnished with luxurious jewel toned velvets and soft lighting for a bang on trend style. Here customers can relax while their colours develop, or while they await appointments within the forthcoming beauty room. This is some seriously instagram worthy stuff here folks!

Ryan (right) with brother Euan who is in training to become a barber and join the team.

The party itself was fabulous, bustling with friends, clients, bloggers and beyond, with cocktails provided by Soul bar, a DJ set up in the corner, and The Pigs Wings on delicious vegan food duty.

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Can you spy little old me right in the middle, queuing for a cocktail there..? Photos by Euan Harris.

There was even a super fun balloon burst competition which gave guests a chance to win some of the amazing cruelty free products that Harris & Fox will be stocking.

For any of you on a cruelty free mission, you’ll know that it’s not always the easiest to find amazing animal friendly hair care, especially when it comes to hair colours, so I was truly over the moon that someone with hair colouring expertise such as Ryan would be staying true to his own beliefs with his very own salon.

I asked Ryan what inspired him to go down this path, and here’s what he had to say:

“The hair products I’ll be using are called Eleven, they are an Australian brand that have just came over here. I’m actually one of the first salons in Scotland to stock them. They are peta approved and also made from natural products, they are awesome.
I decided to go cruelty free because it’s something I strongly believe in; having my fox dog in the salon I don’t think it’s fair if the products have been tested on animals.”

How incredible it is to know that you can look and feel fabulous, completely guilt free.

Harris & Fox is now open and located at 81 Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen. You can book either by calling 01224 611990, emailing ryan@harris-fox.co.uk, or by downloading the Harris & Fox app.